Police can’t vacate checkpoints — IG

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has declared that the Nigeria Police Force cannot afford to do away with checkpoints, adding that checkpoints are vibrant parts of visibility policing, and crucial to effective policing of contemporary Nigerian society.

The police chief also ordered the deployment of the Monitoring Unit and X-Squad operatives, in collaboration with supervisory senior officers, to conduct thorough assessments of key checkpoints along highways.

Egbetokun reiterated the steadfastness of his administration in its dedication to restoring a sense of order and responsibility to the nation’s highways and police operations, adding that the NPF is dedicated to restoring sanity, maintaining order, and fostering a sense of trust between law enforcement and the communities it serves.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated this in a Wednesday night correspondence obtained by our correspondent.

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Adejobi said, “Recognising the importance of safe and efficient road networks, the IG has ordered the deployment of the improved Monitoring Unit and X-Squad operatives, in collaboration with supervisory senior officers, to conduct thorough assessments of key checkpoints along our highways. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that checkpoints are strategically placed and effectively managed, devoid of extortion and corrupt practices, and minimizing any inconveniences to the public while maintaining public safety.

“Responding to the concerns raised about indiscriminate checkpoints that may disrupt the flow of traffic and/or encourage any inappropriate behaviours of officers on the roads and inconvenience citizens, the IG reaffirmed that the NPF cannot afford to do away with checkpoints as they are vibrant parts of visibility policing, which is crucial to effective policing of our contemporary society.

“The IG stated emphatically that though such checkpoints and other operations may occasionally create inconveniences, they are aimed at achieving anti-crime goals. He appealed to the public to cooperate with the operatives for the greater good while assuring that the supervisory officers have been charged to lecture and supervise their men to uphold the principles of decency and dignity in all operations, which include fostering a respectful and professional demeanor among officers and men as well as optimising the use of technology and intelligence to enhance operational efficiency.”

Egbetokun further encouraged citizens to share feedback, experiences, and suggestions with the police and expressed the resoluteness of the NPF in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every individual traversing the country’s highways, while urging members of the public to always cooperate with the police and other security agents on operations.